CommonBond Completes $168MM Securitization, Secures 'A1' Moody's Rating
Online lender's third securitization receives 'A1' rating from Moody's and 'AA (low)' rating from DBRS
NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CommonBond, a leading online lender that uses data and technology to lower the cost of student loans, today announced it has completed a $168 million securitization of refinanced student loans, backed by $178 million in collateral. The transaction's highest-rated senior notes received a rating of 'A1' from Moody's and 'AA (low)' from DBRS. Barclays and Goldman Sachs served as joint-lead managers and bookrunners on the transaction. Barclays also served as structuring agent, and Deutsche Bank served as co-manager on the deal.
The securitization is the company's second transaction this year, and third overall. In April 2016, CommonBond completed a $150 million securitization. In June 2015, the company issued its first securitization, and, in the process, became the first inaugural issuer in marketplace lending to receive an investment-grade rating from Moody's.
"CommonBond has built a sterling reputation in the capital markets due to our meticulous, data-driven underwriting," said Morgan Edwards, Chief Financial Officer of CommonBond. "As with our previous deals, this securitization was oversubscribed among name-brand investors, and the A1/AA (low) ratings from Moody's and DBRS are a further testament to the quality of CommonBond's portfolio. We continue to be excited to see new investors participate with each transaction we bring to the market and expect to see the diversity of investors increase with subsequent deals."
This securitization follows a period of strong growth for CommonBond. In July 2016, the company announced more than $300 million in new funding across equity and lending capital, including an equity round led by Neuberger Berman Private Equity. This brought CommonBond's total funding to date across equity and lending capital to more than $1 billion. Also in July, CommonBond announced the acquisition of Gradible, a personal finance platform that provides users with unbiased, personalized recommendations on how to better manage and repay their student loans. With the Gradible acquisition, CommonBond now offers employers a full suite of student loan repayment products for their employees, including student loan assessment, student loan refinancing and direct contribution to employee's student loan payments (a "401(k) platform for student loans").
About CommonBond
CommonBond is a leading online lender that uses data and technology to lower the cost of student loans. The company believes that student loans should be simpler, more affordable and more transparent. CommonBond funds and refinances student loans, saving its members over $14,500, on average, when they refinance. In addition to savings, CommonBond offers a simple application process and friendly customer service to deliver a superior experience. The company is the first to bring the "one-for-one" model to finance: for every loan funded on its platform, CommonBond funds the education of a child in need, through a partnership with Pencils of Promise. For more information, visit www.commonbond.co.
SOURCE CommonBond
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